Delayed D-man hopes to hit the ground running at Fife Flyers

Matthew Elder

Fife Flyers new signing Scott Aarssen has spoken of his relief as he finally arrived in Kirkcaldy just in time for the new ice hockey season starting on Saturday.

Aarssen was one of several North American players hit by visa delays this summer, but after missing the club’s entire preseason programme, the paperwork finally arrived at the weekend.

The defenceman hopped on a plane, along with his family, and made it to Fife Ice Arena on Monday in time to take in his first training session with his new team mates.

Giving his first interview since his arrival, Aarssen told the Press: “I thought I’d make it in for the start of preseason, but as it kept getting delayed, I kept getting more frustrated.

“I was a little nervous after the past weekend and I still didn’t have anything.

“Luckily the passports and visas just showed up at the door out of nowhere and I got here on Monday, which means I’ll get a full week of practice in before the upcoming weekend.

“You always want to get in for preseason camp to meet the guys, get used to your team mates, get back on the ice, and get the hands and feet back.

“I’m a bit behind compared to everyone else, but I’m going to work hard this week and do everything I can to get ready, that’s all I can do.”

Aarssen has been keeping himself in shape and hopes to be able to hit the ground running when his former club, Glasgow Clan, provide the opposition for the first competitive game of the season on Saturday.

“It’s a big rivalry game and it’s going to be exciting,” he said. “It will be highly contested and heated.

“That’s what you want – get right into it in the first game and get the blood flowing.

“It’s nice we’re at home too so we’ll get the crowd behind us and it’s sure be a great atmosphere.”

Having sampled the rivalry on the Clan side of the fence, Aarssen is looking forward to his first experience of the game as a Fifer.